Poplar Boys Aim To Rebound For Good Year

With six returning players who saw a good deal of court time last season, Poplar’s boys basketball team should be a strong threat in District 2B this season.

The top returning players include Wilfred Lambert, Kayden Lambert, Inyan Growing Thunder, Isaiah Gray Bear, Preston Ogle and Dennis Red Eagle.

“I think they all started at some point last season,” Poplar coach Frank Gourneau said.

The coach said about three or four freshmen will also make their marks at the varsity level.

“I think we should have a pretty good season,” Gourneau said. “We have a good mixture of young players and experienced ones.”

Height shouldn’t be a concern since the Indians have a couple players in the 6-3 to 6-4 range.

Experience is Poplar’s strongest point. This is Gourneau’s eighth year as Poplar’s head coach.

“It’s our returning players we have coming back,” Gourneau said. “There’s a lot of varsity playing experience.”

As far as the team’s weakness, the coach said, “Just COVID. Nobody knows what’s going to happen.”

He noted the Indians will play a fast-paced tempo with tough defense.

The boys’ district tournament is scheduled to take place in Wolf Point.

“I think it’s up for grabs for everybody especially with the year we’re having,” Gourneau said of the league. “Everybody is fairly well coached.”

The Indians will open their season at home against Frazer on Saturday, Jan. 2.

“We need to play tough defense and take care of the basketball,” Gourneau said.